Locomotive boiler



Aug. 28, 1928.

' 1,682,723 A. W. BRUCE LOGOMOTIVE BOILER v N filed Jan. 27, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 -FIG I wrmsssss INVENTOR Aug. 28, 1928. 1,682,723

A. W. BRUCE N LOCOMCTIVE BOILER Filed Jan. 27, 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Aug. 28, 1928. 1,682,723

A. w. BRUCE LOCOMOTIVE BOILER Filed Jan. 27, '1927 4 SheetsSheet 4 ll Q llll S? IL I k N '0' \T. l

WI asses INVENTOR :Patente d Aug.: 28, Q1928.

" BRUCE, or YORK, N. iz.

Locomotive :eorLEia,

1 1 My inventironrelates to boilers oi thelocomotive type,and of the class thereof in which tlie sides oi the firebox and combustion chamber are lornied of a plurality of Water Qe tubes, instancesof Whichfare exemplified in the patent of J; lvL McClellon, No. 1,580,063,

dated April 6, 19%,and in the patent of mysel'h No. 1,624,655, dated April 12, 1927. My

present invention I is particularly directed to I Hi the adaptation-eta boiler of the type specilied, for operation underI coinparatlvely ih gh steam pressure, andto eifecting a reduction o-fthe Weight and dimensions of the boiler to) of fire: tubes, awhich are set closely together,

a substantial extent. I

15 The improvement claimed is hereinafter tally-set forth. I

In the, accompanying: drawings: Figure 1 a: vertical I longitudinal central section, throijigh a boiler embodying myIlnventlon;

20 Fig. 2, a partial similiar section thereof, 11-

lustrating astructural iiiodification; Fig.3; a Vertical transverse section, the right hand half beingtakenon the line III; III of Fig. 1, and the left hand halt Onathe lineIII III thereof; Fig. 4, asimilar sect-ion, the left! hand halfbeingtaken onthe line IV, IV of Fig. Land the rigl'it handlialion theline IVE IW thereof; Fig. 5,a similar section, the

righthand half being takenionthe line-V, V

3o ot' Fig. l, and the left hand half beingtaken I on the line VflV, thereof; Fig. 6, a vertical longitudinal central section "through a boiler, illustrating a structural modification; Fig

7, a vertical transverse secti0n*,the right hand half being takenonrtheline VII, VIIofFlg.

6, and the left hand half on the hneRVII I VII thereof; Fig. 8, a-sim1lar section, the righthand hali being taken on theline VIII,

VIII of Fig. 6, andthe left hand half onthe line VIII, VI;II* there0f; Fig 9, a s milar section, on the lineIX, IX of Flg. 6 Fig. 10,

aside view,in elevatiornoi' means for pro-a moting circulation and Fig. 11, afront vlew ofthesaniepr he sections; the the box section, Edythe barrel section, B, through which extends a plura-lity of tiretubes; and the smoke box section, C, I

anda combustion clialnber, D, is located in I from the frontsheet of a forward header, 12

which; Water is suppliedtthrough a ifeed pipe I in the ordinary manner In the practiceoi niy, invention, referring descriptively to the specific I embodiment: thereof which is herein exemplified, and first toFigs; l toi 5 inclusive, the iniprove d locomotive boilerthereotcomprises three main to the back sheet a rear header, 13, said headersconstituting the froiitand rear ends,

1'espectively,of thebarrelsectionQEach of the firetiibes, 3",lissurrounded a Water 6 tube, 3,fS3Lld water tubesezttending from the rear all I of 1 the -lorward jjheader; 12,150 I theji front Wall or the rear header, '13, and thereby establishing communication betweenthewater spaces of saidheaders, iThesuper heating elements, 18,ofthesuberheater, "18; arelocatedin thefiretube i3k I The mud *ing, 2, of tllefiIQbOXfliShOlIOWf and forms the bottom supportof a plurality with thejbackhead, 5: Arch tubes, 6,Which support a fire-brick arch, new connected to the front of the inud ring," and eXtend upgw a Wardly and rearwardly tofthe back head,-5; The hpperI surface of the grate ,I8, IiesIIa proxiinatelyr inthe planeofthe topuof the er I ll 1 rnudfring. The forward-limb of tliefimudl ring is apertured Her communication with n feed water Iconnectiom 151, s leading into the 1 barrel section, B, to the forward portion of (not shown) provided ay'itjl =aI check jvalyeg The Water tubes,h3,

chambeiglD, zit'orm continuous Walls with the firef box Water tubes, and conform I in cur- Vature tllGlQWlthyitbOV the-axial line 0513 the 1 ubarrel, below whichthey are curvedxonarcs f struck substantially radially froinsaid'afi-y I ial line. The Water tubes, 3 and 3, areIeon nected, at their tops, to theqdruinp l, andfat theirbottomgto thevrnudring, 2,;and toltheg f feedwater connection inerhber, 11,*respective-- lyL The: inember, 11, I extends forwardly x-to 1 a connection- With"thebarrelsection, B, shown I in Fig. I as being through the rear header, 1:3, andzprovides a WaterI passage from i said herrel section to the bottoms ofthe combustion chamber- Water tubes, 3 9. ITliedrurri, 4, ex, tends throughboth the headers, 12 and13,-

butfisin communication withtherear head- I IU I er, 12, only, through a passage, l i yat ,lts top. Two smaller drunis, 4*,;4,are disposed on the dlifpbsite sides of the druni, 4, exterior to the barrel, said smaller drums extending from the header, 12, to, the header, 13, and being in communication with the barrel through said headers.

A suitable throttle valve, 16, is located adjacent to the front of the drum, 4, and controls communication between said drumand steam supply pipes, 17, leading therefrom to a superheater,18, or to the valve chests of a locomotive, as the case maybe. i

Fi 2 illustrates a structural modification in w ich the waterconnection member, 11, is

rises through the header,*13, into the drum, 4,

through the passage, 4 and flows forwardly to the steam collector chamber, 4", hereinafter described: There is thus a flow of steam forwardly from the watertube walls of the fire box, through; the drum, 4, to the throttle valve,.l6, and a flow of steam from the barrel sectiomvthroughthe drum, 4', to the throttle valve. .Steam from both sources," traverses past the throttle valve,1through the pipes, 17,

tothe su erheater, 18, or directly to the valve chestso the locomotive. There. is likewise an independent circulation in the barrel section,-from the rear to the forward ends thereof, through thelateral drums, 4*, 4*.

A wrapper. sheet, 20', which encircles and houses the fire box and the combustion chame ber, is securedto the header,.13,wthe back headrfi, and the mud ring,2, said Wrapper sheet performing, its in the construction set forth in my Letters Patent. No. 1,624,655

aforesaid, primarily the function" of a rigid connecting member forthe fire box and boiler barrel section, and secondarily, that of a 010- smear housing-for the topof the fire box, to preventthe esca e of gases of combustion therefrom, ISuitab e la ging or insulating material, 21, is applied, etween the o'utsides of the waterrtubeafiand 3, and thewrapper sheet. p

.Boilers embodying my invention present the advantage of decreasing the size of the barrel section, B', with a resultant reduction in weight; the elimination of structural difii= culties ahd increase in the factor of safety;

and the provision of separate circulation systemsfoi' the firebox and the barrel section,

thereby increasing the ra idity of circulation and mechanically; controlling the circulation to prevent interference of the water circuits, all of which features effecta substantialincreasesin efliciency. The boiler is of a form adapted for carrying the highest steam pres-i stres now utilized in serviceor contemplated in locomotive operation.

Figs. 6 to 11 inclusive, illustrate a structural modification, in which, as in the instance first described, the barrel section, B, of the boiler, is composed of-a forward header, 12, a rear header, 13, a plurality of fire tubes, 3", extending through the headers from the front sheet of the forward header to the'back' sheet of the rear header, and a plurality of water tubes, 3, surrounding the fire tubes and" extending from the back sheet: of the forward header to the front sheet of the rear header. This construction is similar to that before described, and illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, but differs therefrom a in that the drum, 4, extends forwardly only sufiibientl fartogenable a communication to be made. etween it and the rear'header, 13, which communication is effected through the steam supply passage, 4', at its top. The

forward end of the drum is open; midis c011 nected to an upwardly and forwardly extending junction piece, 4.. i

A water circulation pipe, 4, leads from the lower end of the junction piece, 4, to the forward header, 12. A steam receiving chamber, 4", (one or fnoi'e),'of smaller, diameter than the drum, extends forwardly from the upper end of the junction piece, to or near therear of the smoke box, 0, its forward end; being supported on, and fitted to slide in, a bearing, 4, which is shown as secured to the forward header, 12, but may, if preferred, be connected to the smoke box. Longlt-udinal expansion of the chamber, 4', is

thereby provided for. A steam collecting chamber, 4', having a plurality of perforations in' its top, is located in the steam receiving chamber, 4, adjacent to its top and to its forward end. By this construction, the

steam is separated asfar aspossible from the water, and it is delivered from the chamber, 4', tb the throttle valve, 16, and thence to the superheater, 18, or to the engine cylinders, as the case may be. i i

A feed water member, 11, which, as in the instance first above described, is a lower water drum, extends forwardly through the combustion chamber, D, said member, being secured, at its rear end, to the front of the mud ring, 2, and passing freely, through the.

back sheet of therear header, 13, with which it makes a sliding joint, thereby providing for its expansion under the influence of heat.

The feedwater member communicates, at its forward end,,with the barrel section, through upwardly extending water circulation pipes, 22. Arch tubes, 6, extend upwardly and rearwardly fromthe front of the mud ring, and support abrick arch, 7, in the ordinary manner. Instead of being directly connect- 1 ed tothe feed water member, 11, the circulation pipes, 22, may, as shown inFigs; lfland 11, lead to the inlets of a centrifugal pump,

2 1, the outlets of which oommunicatewith the member, 11. By th s .constructlon, the

nautral continuous automatic water circulatheordinarymanner.

In the operatlonof the structural modifi-x tinuouspositively guided circulation of water, through thewaterspaces ofthe barrel and tion through theboiler may bepromoted and expedited when desired. Feed water, is supplied to the barrel, B, through a feed pipe, (notshown) provided with a checlrvalve, in

cation above described, there is aisingle clon firebomthe water in thebarrel beingthereby constantly stirred i zp, ;instead of beingfcom-fl paratively undisturbedas n ordinfary constructlons. The water supplied tdtliebarrel moves to the-rear header; thence downcombination of a fire box, the sides of which are formed of water tubes; a barrehextending forwardly from the forward end of the firebox forward and rear barrel section headers; a drum, extending forwardly from the rear end of the fire box and communicating with the side water tubes thereof and with the forward header; water tubes, connecting the water spaces of the headers; fire tubes, extendin through said W ater tubes and through the headers, and providing water spaces be tween themselves and said water tubes; and means for supplying water from the barrel to the side water tubes of the fire box.

2. In a boiler ofthe locomotive type, the combination of a fire box, the sides of which are formed of water tubes; a barrel, extendingforwardly from theforward end of the fire box; forward and rear barrel section headers; a. drum, extending forwardly from the rear end of the fire her, and communicat inc; Withthe side water tubes thereof, and with the forward header; water tubes, connecting the water spaces of the headers; fire tubes, extending through said water tubes and through the headers, and providing water spaces between themselves and said water tubes; and a lowerwater drum extending rearwardly, from the rear header, and communicating therewith, and with side water tubes of the fire box.

3. In a boiler of the locomotive type, the combination of a firebox, the sides of which are formed of water tubes; a barrel, extending forwardly fromthe forwardend of the fire box: a hollow mud ring, communieating with said water tubesrforward and rear barrel section headers; a drum, extending headers; liretubedeistending through said. water tubes and through the headers,,and pro:

the rear end of. the firebox, and communicatforwardly from the rear end of the the box and connnunicating with therside Water tubesfl thereof and with the forward header; Water tubes, connecting the water spaces of the vidi water spaces between themselves{and ing' from the rear headerto tl'iemud ring,zand;

counnunicatin :withthe.sai'ttheaclei' LIIlt'lSalCl mud ringfanc with side water tubes ofithe fire box. 2 ,1, Q.

*lQlna boiler of {the locomotive type,;the combination of a firebox, the sides of which. eformed of water tubes; a barrel, extend in ardly fronithe foiwmrd endofthe fire boa; forward and, rear barrel; section headers; a driu'ruextending;forwardly from ins withthe side Water tubes thereofand with the forward header; water tubes, con

tubes; and a lowerdrum, extend} meeting the water spaces of the headers; tire tubes, extending through said water tubes and through the headers, and providing water spaces between themselves and said water tubes; a lower drum, extending forwardly from the mud ring, and communicating there-v box, and with the rear header; and a hearing on the rear header in which said drum is fitted freely. i r

5. In a boiler of thelocomotivetype, the

with, with the side water tubes of the fire it i combinationof a fire bolt, the sides of which are formed of water tubes; a barrel, extend- 111g forwardly from the forward end of the.

fire box; forward and rearfwater barrel section headers; a drum, extending forwardly from the rear of the fire box and communicatmg withthe side watertubes thereof, wlth the rear header, and with amud r ng; water tubes, connecting the water spaces of the headers; fire tubes, extending through said water tubes and prov1d1ng water spacesbetween themselves and said fire tubes; a junctron piece, COIHHIHIllCtLlIlIIg with the forward end of the drum; a steam receiving chamber, extending forwardly from the unctronpmce;

. means for delivering steam from said chain-Q bcr to engine cylinders and a water clrcula-f 3 tion pipe, lea-ding; fromthe junctionpiece to the forward header. a

6. In a boiler of the locomotive type, the combination of fire box, the sides of which are formed or water tubes and the forward portion of which is a combustion chamber;

let

a barrel. extendineforwardly from the forward end of the fire box: avmud ring; forj ward and rear barrel section headers; tubes,- connecting said headers; an upper drum, ex tending forwardly from therear end of the fire box'section, and communieating with the side water tubes thereof and with the barrel section; a lower-drum, connectedtoi the mud ring; and a watercirculating connection between the upperland lower drums.

ion

7. ln aboiler of the locomotive type, the combination of-a fire box, the sides of which are formed of water tubesand the forward portion of which is a combustion chamber; a barrel, extending forwardly from t-heforward end of the fire box; a mud ring; forward andr'ear barrel section headers; tubes, connecting said headers 'an, upper drum, ex-

tending forwardly from the r'earend of the fire box and com'mnnicating; with the side water tubes thereof and with the barrel section; a lower drum, connected rigidly to the m nd ring, and having its forward end sliding freely in a hearing at its front end: and a water circulating connection between the upper and lower drums. I i i 8; In a boiler of the locomotive type, the

per and lower drurris; and niebhanioalljf opf e'rable means for promoting cirenlati'ol i through the boiler structure.

ALFRED w. BRUCE, 

